Terrorism in Greece
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Terrorism in Greece is primarily committed by far-left, 'revolutionary' Marxist organizations.
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[edit] Banned terrorist organizations
[edit] Revolutionary Organization 17 November
The Greek government arrested many members of the 17 November organization in the summer of 2002. In 2003 15 members were found guilty of multiple murders and convicted for more than 2,500 crimes. In December 2005 a three-judge panel began an appeals trial.[1]
[edit] Revolutionary Struggle
The Revolutionary Struggle is a far-left Greek paramilitary group known for its attacks on Greek government buildings. It is widely described as a terrorist organization by both the Greek government[2] and the media.[3][4]
[edit] Revolutionary Nuclei
The Revolutionary Nuclei is a far-left, anti-U.S., anti-NATO, and anti-European Union terrorist organization. It is the successor organization to the Revolutionary Struggle. RN has fought against the "imperialist domination, exploitation, and oppression" of Greece since 1995.[5]
RN members bombed the Citigroup offices in Athens and a Greek-American sculptor's studio in November 2000. In December 1999 RN setoff explosives near Texaco's offices in Athens.[5]
[edit] Terrorist attacks
The Abu Nidal Organization attacked a City of Poros day-excursion ship in 1988.[6]
After the September 11, 2001 attacks the Greek government allowed the U.S. to use Greek airspace and joined the War on Terror. As part of Operation Enduring Freedom the Greek Navy kept a frigate in the Arabian Sea for almost two years. The governments of the United States and Greece signed protocols updating treaties on extradition in January 2006.[1]
[edit] 2007 United States embassy attack
On 11 January 2007 members of the Revolutionary Struggle fired an anti-tank missile at the United States embassy in Athens, failing to injure anyone. Byron Polydoras, the Greek public order minister, said an anonymous phone call from a member of the Revolutionary Struggle claimed responsibility. Traffic on roads came to a halt as police searched the area for suspects.[7]
[edit] Counter-terrorism
Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis met with Vangelis Meimarakis, the Minister of National Defence, and Byron Polydoras the Minister of Public Order, on 18 January 2007. They discussed terrorism and the use of CCTV, which Defense Minister Meimarakis supports. Public Order Minister Polydoras updated Prime Minister Karamanlis on the investigation into the U.S. embassy attack.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Background Note: Greece United States Department of State
- ^ Revolutionary Struggle' terror group claims responsibility for attacks on labor ministry, police buses. Embassy of Greece to the United States (June 10, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
- ^ George Gilson. "Robin Hood terrorists", Athens News, December 23, 2005.
- ^ Anthee Carassava. "U.S. Embassy in Athens Is Attacked", New York Times, January 12, 2007.
- ^ a b List of known terrorist organizations Center for Defense Inforation
- ^ Background information on terrorist groups Jewish Virtual Library
- ^ U.S. Embassy in Athens Hit by Rocket Attack - The New York Times
- ^ Terrorism at the focus EPT
